Car-coupling.



No. 756,174. PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904; I

- J. MEEHAN. I

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 0, 1903. v N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 756,174i PATENTED MAR. 2 9,'1904.

J. MEEHAN.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION I'ILZED AUG. 6, 1903. 7 N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SEEET 2.

v fiV/Z Z01 @7266 (Zieefiazt UNITED STATES Patented March 29, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF OHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

CAR-COUPLING.

EPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,174, dated March29, 1904;

Application filed g t 6, 1903.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MEEHAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky,have invented new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings, of which thefollowing .is a specification.

This invention relates to car-couplings; and the object of the inventionis to provide a simple and eifective device of this character theknuckle of which can be readily released or swung open and which when inits normal or closed positionis positively held against accidentalrelease.

The invention includes other objects and advantages which will be setforth at length in the following description, while the novelty thereofwill constitute the basis of the claims succeeding such description.

In the drawings accompanying and forming apart of this specification Ihave illustrated the invention in one simple and convenient embodimentthereof, which will be set forth in detail in the said description; butthe invention is not limited to the disclosure thus made, fordivers'variations may be made within the scope of my claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of acar-coupling including the invention with the knuckle open andlocking-pin up. Fig.2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a sectional sideelevation with the knuckle-lock closed. Fig. 4: is a horizontalsectional top plan view. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a sleeve. Fig. 6 isa bottomplan view of the knuckle. Fig. 7 is a detail view of thelocking-pin. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the lockingpin andpendent hub of the draw-head.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the views. v

The car-coupling involves in its construction a draw-head, as 2, formedat the outer end of the draw-bar, and a knuckle 3, these two parts beingof the usual material and form, and hence a detail description of thesame is not necessary. The knuckle 3 is mounted for swinging movement inthe draw-head, the two parts being pivotally united, the pin 4: beingSerial No. 168,525. (No model.)

shown for this purpose. The knuckle and draw-head are provided with gibsor projections 5, made integral with each other and alined,respectively, longitudinally of the draw-bar when the knuckle is closed,so that in case of the breakage of-the pivot-pin 4 the knuckle cannot bepulled from the draw-head.

The locking-pin is denoted by 6 and when in its effective positionserves to securely hold the knuckle 3 closed. To provide normallyagainst the rotation of the locking-pin 6 and the consequent release ofthe knuckle 3, the locking-pin when in its working position is non-roetatively mounted. For this purpose the locking-pin in the neighborhoodof its top has a polygonal head 7, illustrated as square and adaptedwhen said locking-pin is in its lowermost position to closely fit acorrespondingly-shaped seat or aperture in the draw-head, which seat oraperture of course forms a part of the locking-pin hole. When,therefore, the polygonal head is in its seat, the locking-pin will beheld against rotation. the polygonal head has the shoulders 8, theworking faces of which divergeoutward at an angle,'thereby forming anangular notch, as indicated in Fig. 4, to receive acorrespondingly-angular nose, as 10, upon the knuckle. Below thecooperating shoulders 8 is a notch or cut-away portion 9. When thelockingpin 6 is in its lowermost position, the nose 10 at the inner endof the knuckle is adapted to fit between the shoulders 8 on thelocking-pin, and the latter at this time being held against rotation theknuckle 3 will be locked in its closed position. The nose is of a shapeto agree with the working faces of the shoulders 8-that is to say, it isof right-angular form; but this particular shape is not essential. Bylifting the locking-pin 6 sufliciently to carry the shoulders 8 out ofengagement with the nose 10 the latter will naturally be brought intoregistration with the notch 9, so that the knuckle 3 will be released.The elevation of the locking-pin 6 will carry the polygonal head 7 outof its seat-in the draw-head, means, as will hereinafter bedescribed,being brought into operation as the knuckle opens to turn Thesaid locking-pin below the locking-pin 6 to move the polygonal head 7out of registration with its correspondinglyshaped seat, by reason ofwhich the pin cannot drop to its initial position when the knuckle isopen. The locking-pin 6 has a second polygonal portion 11, located belowthe releasenotch 9, which fits a similarly-shaped hole in the sleeve orband 12, by virtue of which the sleeve or band is non-rotativelyconnected with the locking-pin. The sleeve or band has anupwardly-curved projection or finger 13, terminating at its upper end ina stud 14, adapted to cooperate with primary and secondary cam-facesupon the inside of the flange 15, which depends from the web 17,extending along the inner branch of the knuckle 3.

The locking-pin 6 in practice is provided with some suitable meansarranged upon the side of a car or in any other convenient place bywhich it may be elevated to release the knuckle. The instant that thepolygonal head 7 is carried out of its seat in the draw-head the knucklewill be released, and if the car upon which the coupling is mounted isconnected with another car the two cars when the knuckles are releasedcan be separated, and as they are pulled apart the knuckles are opened.As the knuckle 3 is opened the initial cam-face upon the flange 15,acting against the stud 14, swings the projection or finger 13 throughan arc, the sleeve or band 12 being thereby turned, and as the sleeve orband is non-rotatively connected with the locking-pin 6 the latter willbe turned so as to move the polygonal head 7 thereof out of registerwith its seat. The polygonal head 7 therefore constitutes a stop toprevent the dropping of the locking-pin into its Working position whenthe knuckle is open, the head or stop engaging the draw-head for thispurpose. When, however, the knuckle is closed, the sleeve or band 12will be rotated in a direction opposite to that originally taken, so asto turn the locking-pin 6 and bring the polygonal head 7 thereof intoregister with the seat, at which time the locking-pin will drop, so asto cause the locking shoulders 8 to straddle the nose of the knuckle andlock the same closed. When the knuckle is open, the locking-pin 6 isheld up, so that the trainman can at once see from the side of the carthe conditions.

The locking-pin 6has two separate and independent movements, on orduring the first of which the knuckle is released. During the secondstage of its operation the locking-pin, through the sleeve or band 12and finger 13, transfers a thrust to the knuckle for positively openingthe same. Occasionally it is only necessary to release the knuckle-forexample, when two cars are coupled togetheras hereinbefore indicated. Atother times it may be necessary to swing the knuckle open without goingbetween the cars to do so, and the positive opening of the knuckle, aswill be evident, is accomplished during the second movement of thelocking-pin, as will hereinafter appear.

The locking pin near its lower end has diametrically oppositelongitudinal grooves 18, which merge into grooves 19, inclined to thelongitudinal grooves. Two grooves are shown in each case, and althoughthis is not essential it is preferred in order to secure a steady motionof the locking-pin. The draw-head has on its under side the dependinghub 20, shown as integral therewith, and which receives the lower end ofthe lockingpin. Inside the hub are the diametrically opposite lugs 21,which traverse the straight and inclined grooves in succession, the lugstraveling in the straight grooves 18 on the initial ascending motion ofthe locking-pin. When the said locking-pin has reached the end of itsfirst stage of movement, it will have released the knuckle, the lugs 21at this time being at the mouths or entering ends of the inclinedgrooves 19.

It will be assumed that it is desiredto positively open the knuckle. Todo this, the locking-pin 6 is lifted, and when the first stage of itsmovement is completed the knuckle will be released, as just set forth.On the second stage of the ascending movement the lugs 21 will enter theinclined grooves 19, and as the lugs are fixed relatively to the pin thelatter as it rises will be turned, the sleeve or band 12 being alsoturned, so as to swing the projection or finger 13 outward and cause thestud 14 at the free end of the same to ride along the second cam-face onthe flange 15, thereby to positively swing the knuckle 3 wide open. Asthe knuckle is closed the reverse operation will take place, so thatwhen the polygonal head 7 of the locking-pin coincides with its seatsaid locking-pin can drop to hold the knuckle in its closed relation.When the knuckle 3 is closed and locked in such position by thelocking-pin 6, the inner portion of said knuckle will be in contact withthe inner side of the draw-head, the gibs or projections 5 on saidknuckle being .behind those on the draw-head. In case the pivot-pin 4should break forward motion of the knuckle is prevented by the gibsthereon engaging the cooperating gibs carried by the draw-head, whilelateral motion of said knuckle is prevented by the locking-pin. Upon theopening of the knuckle the gibs thereon are carried free of thecooperating gibs on the drawhead.

The locking-pin is furnished at its upper end with a cap 6, which whensaid lockingpin is in its effective position eflectu ally closes itsopening against the admission of water, snow, or dust. This cap restsupon a rim or shoulder 6 upon the upper side of the drawhead. Said rimor shoulder 6" surrounds the locking-pin opening, and being locatedabove.

the upper surface of the draw-head prevents the lateral flow of waterinto the locking-pin hole or opening.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle, movable into position to release theknuckle,

having a stop, and means operable by the knuckle as it is opened forbringing said stop into position to engage the draw head, to therebyprevent the accidental dropping of said locking-pin. 2. In acar-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, a locking-pin forthe knuckle, having a polygonal portion, the draw-head having apolygonal seat to receive said poly onal portion when the locking-pin isin its effective position, said polygonal portion being movable outofsaid polygonal seat to release the knuckle, and means actuated by theknuckle as it is opened for causing the locking-pin to turn and movesaid polygonal portion out of register with said polygonal seat.

3. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle having a polygonal portion, the draw-headhaving a polygonal seat to receive said polygonal portion when thelocking-pin is in its effective position, said'polygonal portion beingmovable out of said seat to release the knuckle, and a sleevenon-rotatively connected with the locking-pin, having a projection, theknuckle being provided with a cam to engage said projection to therebyrotate the pin and move the polygonal portion out of register with thepolygonal seat.

4. In a car-coupling, adraw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pinfor the knuckle having a polygonal portion, the draw-headhaving a polygonal seat-to receive said polygonal portion when thelocking-pin is in its effective position, said polygonal portion beingmovable out of said seat to release the knuckle, and a sleeve having apolygonal hole, the locking-pin having a correspondingly-shaped portionto fit said hole, and said sleeve being provided with a projection, theknuckle having means for operating the projection as said knuckle isopened, to move said first-mentioned polygonal portion out ofregistration with its seat.

5. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle having a polygonal portion, the draw-headhaving a polygonal seat to receive said poly onal portion when thelocking-pin is in its effective position, the said locking-pin having ashoulder to engage the knuckle to hold the same locked, and also havinga releasingnotch situated below said shoulder, said polygonal portionbeing movable out of said polygonal seat to carry said shoulder out ofengagement with the knuckle to thereby free the same, and means actuatedby the knuckle as it is opened for causing the locking-pin to turn andmove said polygonal portion out of register. with its seat.

6. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle having a movement to release the knuckle andhaving a straight groove and an inclined groove merging into thestraight groove, a lug upon the draw-head to enter said grooves, the lugas it enters the inclined groove on the elevation of the locking-pincausing the rotation of the latter, and means actuated by thelocking-pin as it rotates for positively swinging the knuckle open.

7 In a car-coupling, adraw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle having a polygonal portion, the draw-headhaving a polygonal seat to receive said polygonal portion when thelocking-pin is in its effective position, said polygonal portion beingmovable out of said polygonal seat to re lease the knuckle, means forcausing the rotation of the locking-pin when the knuckle is released,and means actuated by said lockingpin for positively opening theknuckle.

8. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, alocking-pin for the knuckle having a polygonal portion, the draw-headhaving a polygonal seat to receive said poly onal portion when thelocking-pin is in its efiective position, said polygonal portion beingmovable out ofsaid polygonal seat to release the knuckle, and a sleevenon-rotatively connected with the locking-pin, having a projection, theknuckle being provided with a cam-face to be traversed by the projectionas the locking-pin rotates, to thereby positively open the knuckle.

9. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, a knuckle carried thereby, having aflanged web on its .inner side, the flange of the web having acamsurface, a locking-pin for the knuckle, having a polygonalportion,-the draw-head having a 'polygonal seat to receive saidpolygonal portion after the locking-pin is in its effective position,and said polygonal portion being movable out of said polygonal seat torelease the knuckle, means for causing the rotation of the locking-pinafter the knuckle is released, and a sleeve -non rotatively connectedwith the locking-pin, having a projection to engage said cam-surface topositively open the knuckle.

10. In a car-coupling, a locking-pin having a polygonal head, a pair ofshoulders below the head, the faces of which diverge outwardly withrespect to each other, and a notch below said locking-shoulders.

11. In a car-coupling, a locking-pin having a polygonal head, alocking-shoulder below the head, a notch below the shoulder, andstraight and inclined grooves merging into each other, below said notch.

12. In a car-coupling,a draw-head, aknuckle carried thereby, the top andbottom of the draw-head having interior gibs, and the upper and lowersides of the rear or inner branch of the knuckle having cooperating gibslocated behind those of the draw-head when the knuckle is closed, saidrear branch having an angular nose at its free end, and a locking-pinhaving a correspondingly-angular notch to receive said nose and hold theknuckle in its closed position, and the outer end of said rear or innerbranch, when the knuckle is closed and locked, abutting against theadjacent surface of the draw-head.

13. In a car-coupling, a draw-head, the drawhead havinga locking-pinopening and a shoulder around said opening, a knuckle carried by thedraw-head, a locking-pin for the knuckle entering said opening, the pinhaving a polygonal portion, and the opening having a correspondingpolygonal portion to receive that 7 JAMES MEEHAN. Witnesses:

WM. A. BYRNE, J NO. B. KEAD.

